Master Chief Ward Joined the Navy in June 1997 from Paintsville, Kentucky. He attended basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois followed by a direct assignment to the Armed Forces School of Music “A” School located onboard NAB Little Creek, Virginia Beach, VA. After graduating, he reported to Navy Band Southwest as a trombone instrumentalist. Other duty assignments include Navy Band Northeast, Navy Band Mid-South, Navy Band Northwest, Naval School of Music, and Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band.
Master Chief Ward graduated from the Naval School of Music “Unit Leader Course” in November 2005 and the “Senior Musician Course” in April 2009. He was promoted to Chief Musician in September 2006, Senior Chief Musician in June 2013, and Master Chief Musician in June 2017.
Master Chief Ward is a native of Tremonton, Utah. He graduated from Utah State University in 1993 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, and from the University of Louisville with a Master’s degree in Music Performance. Prior to the Navy, he was a Music Educator at Johnson County High School located in Paintsville, KY. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), and various campaign and unit decorations.
Last Updated: 1 May 2023